Upholstery for all kinds of furniture



May 16, 1933. w. KNOLL UPHOLSTERY FOR ALL KINDS OF FURNITURE Filed April 3, 1929 the Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLY KNOLL, OF ST'D'TTGART, GERMANY UPHOL STERY FOR ALL KINDS 01? FURNITURE Application filed April 3, 1929, Serial No. 352,274, and in Germany April 18', 1928.

I on. The hitherto customary compressible spring upholstery comprises several layers of cloth and upholstering material and requires for its manufacture a series of expensive handicraft processes. According to present invention, the seats and backs consist of parallelly arranged, tightly strained tension springs forming the surface of the seats and backs. Each tension spring produces its own spring effect independent of the other springs. The tension springs are preferably covered with braiding or with elastic fabrics. On the surface of the tension springs is arranged a cover or cushion which can easily'be removed.

The tension springs located under the cushion, which springs are elastically expanded by the load on them, return to their original position when released of their load, and thereby give the cover or cushion and consequently also the body a complete and absolute support.

The characteristic advantages of the present invention are its great simplicity, cheapness and adaptability. The constructional features enable the springs to act in such a way, that each spring accommodates itself both in the seat as well as in the back to any shape and position of the body, and affords adequate support thereto. By the action of the individual springs an ease and comfort previously unknown is obtained, as well as a hygienic rest. The especial advantage presented by the invention is in the use of the tension springs in the backs, where the effect of the rows of individual springs is utilized to its full extent, in contradistinction to the old manner of jointly tied spring upholstery. By the individual spring effect of the invention the unhealthy twisting of the vertebrae and the injurious position of the organs is made impossible. By the arrangement of open and easily exchangeable springs and of a suitable removable cushion the incidence of moths, destroying the upholstery as heretofore, is made impossible.

Various constructional examples of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is an illustrative view of a chair with the new upholstery.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through an arm chair with superimposed covers or cushions.

Fig. 3 shows in cross section a method of fastening the tension springs by means of screws.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a further advantageous manner of fixing the springs.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a further modification of fixing the springs.

The resilient surfaces of the chairs represented consist of tension springs b arranged parallelly and fixed to the chair frame a in any way desired. The spiral springs 12 are preferably protected by a coating or as is shown in Fig. 6 provided with an extensible elastic substance covering 0. These coatings or coverings may be of any colour and pattern, and serve to hide or enclose the metallic springs so as to form a nicely coloured spring surface and for the purpose of avoiding any metallic noises when the springs 12 are extended.

It is further possible to lay a cover or a cushion like arrangement over the layers of tension springs which cushion may consist of cloth or leather. The cushion means has no connection with the spring or its covering but may be fastened to the frame of the chair, which fastening ishowever such that full spring action is possible. In other words, the cushion means is elastic or easily removable but directly on the springs. The spring hooks may be fixed either rigidly or swivelled. Some of the methods are shown by Way of example in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Fig. 3 illustrates the fastening of the hook of the spring or the like I) by means of screws 0 and cup shaped washers. By these washers an eventual bending and loosening of the hook is rendered impossible, and the fixing presents-a neat appearance.

Fig. 4 shows a further modification of fixing. The seat and back frame a, of the chair are drilled through at the points of suspension. The spring hook or the like may be engaged with a suitable is engaged with a button ghaving an-eyelet or hook d or is as shown in 5, it ar That part of the hole 5 remote from the button g may be countersunk so that the spring I) is free to bend when extending.

Fig. 6 shows a method of fixing wherein a strap or a similar member m forms the main support. The strap m may be clamped tightly by means of the batten n screwed to the wooden frame a or it may be as shown in Fig. 7, formed with a stiffened edge is clamped by means of a batten n into a groove in the frame a. The springs b may be engaged either in the straps m (Fig. 6) provided with eyelets (1) or they may be engaged with the stiffened edge In (Fig. 7).

The suspension of the springs on straps affords a pliant connection. The springs can be covered by a strip of fabric 0 to give the construction a finished appearance.

I claim:

A spring upholstering for chairs or the like comprising a plurality of coiled spiral tension springs, each entirely covered with an elastically-extensible material and having a hook at each end; and a button, to which a hook of the springs is attached and bearing against the outside of the chair frame, thereby covering a perforation in the frame through which the spring passes.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLY KNOLL. 

